Estimated read time: 8-9 minutes
For years, enthusiasts like myself have lamented the disappearance of the street truck — the kind of sport, lowered pickup that once turned all sorts of heads in the 1990s and early 2000s. From the historic pre-electric Ford Lightning to the Viper-powered Dodge Ram SRT-10, those were the kind of ridiculous poster trucks to make it out of the book fair and onto my childhood bedroom wall. I miss those days.
But, thanks to Ford and the debut of the new 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo, those days are back — and with an all-new flavor of spice and style.
I recently spent several days with this new addition to the Maverick lineup and really enjoyed it, especially in Ford's Velocity Blue paint. The Lobo manages to look cool, be fun to drive and still work exceedingly well as a practical, daily driver capable of doing light-duty truck things.
Here are just a few reasons why I loved it and think you will, too.
Street-truck style is back, baby
It's been too long since we could buy a lowered performance truck from the factory, and I'm so glad Ford chose to fill that gap. The Maverick has always been a unique yet smart buy in the market, offering real capability in an approachable, easy-to-live-with package.
The Lobo trim builds on that with a more aggressive look, which, especially in Velocity Blue, is very eye-catching and unlike any other truck out there. Ford rightfully gave the Lobo a sportier, lowered stance, unique wheels, bold accents and a darker, blacked-out trim aesthetic that signals this isn't just your run-of-the-mill Maverick, but something special.
On the road, the styling really pops, but it's not too in your face. In fact, to some, it may appear quite subtle. However, the combination of those small tweaks creates a flair that will delight enthusiasts, while also remaining conservative enough for buyers who want something unique but not too extreme or flashy.
It's the kind of vehicle you want to look back at after you park and walk away, which is always a sign you bought the right one.
Punchy power and engaging dynamics make daily driving a blast
What further sets the Lobo apart is its mildly spiced performance attributes. Under the hood is the familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a seven-speed automatic transmission unique to the Lobo. It's more fun than you might expect from a compact pickup truck, especially in its raucous Lobo mode, and the power feels perfectly suited to its mission: fun daily driving.
The handling is another highlight. Thanks to its size and chassis tuning, the Lobo feels composed, even when pushed hard around tight corners, and is surprisingly confident in the twisties. It's not a hardcore performance machine — and it doesn't pretend to be — but it captures the spirit of fun in an accessible way that most trucks don't come close to. For drivers who grew up admiring the lowered F-150 SVT Lightnings, this is a modern, less intense and more sensible approach to that vibe.
Ezra Dyer of Car and Driver summed up the Lobo's distinct upgrades well when he wrote, "The Maverick Lobo looks the part of a performance truck, crouched on a suspension that's lowered a half-inch up front and 1.1 inches at the rear. A torque-vectoring rear differential is on hand, larger front brake rotors are fitted and the Euro-market Focus ST donates its front brake calipers. The cooling system gets an upgrade, with both a bigger radiator and the transmission cooler from the towing package."
Surprising comfort and space
Despite its sporty leanings, the Maverick Lobo retains all the comfort that the Maverick is known for. It is surprisingly comfortable and spacious, especially given its compact dimensions. Both front and rear passengers can easily enjoy ample head, shoulder and leg room — even with three kids across the back — and the seats are soft and supportive for both short and long drives.
The rest of the interior is simple yet functional and durable, featuring user-friendly designs and controls. The infotainment system is easy to use, with wireless Apple CarPlay working flawlessly in my testing. And if you have kids, you'll love how easy the seats, door panels and pretty much everything else in the interior is to clean.
It can still do real truck work
When it comes to compact trucks, the complaint from naysayers is always, "Well, it's not a real truck." And what they mean by that is that it's not capable of towing your house from its foundation. But honestly, how many times are you really going to need to do that?
The Ford Maverick is capable of doing just enough real truck stuff that it makes a strong case against going for anything bigger. The Maverick, despite its size, is super utilitarian. Its bed is functional for everyday needs, and towing remains a reasonable 2,000 pounds, but opting for the 4K towing package nets you an additional 2,000 pounds of capacity. The Lobo's payload is 1,045 pounds, while the standard Maverick trims bump up to 1,500 pounds.
The Maverick Lobo is designed for the kind of real-world, everyday tasks that most owners encounter, such as trips to the hardware store, weekend projects, bike rides and kids' soccer games. And to have all that practicality wrapped in a performance-leaning sport truck is just icing on the cake.
Efficiency that won't break the bank
Another pleasant surprise with the mildly spicy Lobo is its efficiency. While traditional sport performance trucks have been synonymous with poor fuel economy, the Maverick Lobo manages to deliver respectable numbers, even when pushed hard.
During my time with it, I averaged just under 25 mpg — a pretty impressive result, given I wasn't taking it easy during my testing. Even better, this means the Maverick Lobo is a truck you can easily daily drive without the added stress of expensive trips to the gas station. ,
And if better fuel efficiency is a requirement, you can opt for the hybrid engine. In the XLT model that translates to 40mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. And for 2025, the Maverick hybrid is available in all wheel drive.
Who should buy the Maverick Lobo?
The 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo isn't for everyone — and that's a good thing. It's aimed at drivers who want something unique, fun and stylish, without giving up the practicality of a truck. If you're the kind of buyer who values individuality and a spirited driving experience, but also wants the ability to haul gear and tackle small projects, the Lobo fits the bill.
It's also a great introduction to the idea of a street truck for a new generation. Rather than trying to recreate the over-the-top formulas of decades gone by, Ford has crafted a standout reintroduction to the segment that feels modern, supremely practical and approachable for a wide swath of buyers and enthusiasts.
As Erik Johnson of Motor Trend wrote, "And we gotta say, the Ford Maverick Lobo is the best small sporty pickup truck you can buy. It's also the only small sporty pickup truck you can buy, but at least it's good."
Final verdict: A modern street truck done right
After five days behind the wheel of the Lobo, I found myself genuinely enjoying the experience. It's great to drive, very comfortable and straightforward and honest about what it is and isn't. It stands out in a crowded segment by bringing a flavor of performance and attitude that's been largely absent from the truck world for a long time now, all while being comfortable, surprisingly spacious and very usable.
No, it won't replace a dedicated sports car or a full-size workhorse, but that's not the point of this truck. The Maverick Lobo is about balance — a compact truck that looks cool, delivers lively performance and still works as a sensible, budget-friendly everyday truck. For those who have been waiting for a revival of the street truck, the Maverick Lobo might just be what you've been waiting for.
"That said, if you want a sporty small pickup truck, to us at least, the Maverick Lobo is worth whatever it costs since it's in a class of one," wrote Erik Johnson of Motor Trend. "We'd budget a little extra money for stickier tires, a more wicked exhaust and maybe an engine tune, but even out of the box, the Lobo is largely satisfying and definitely cool."
Key takeaways:
- The Maverick Lobo brings street-truck styling, with bolder looks and a sporty, lowered stance.
- It offers performance-tuned steering, suspension and brakes over the standard Maverick.
- The 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque make it fun to drive.
- The interior is comfortable and surprisingly spacious, with user-friendly tech.
- It's very practical for everyday, light-duty truck use.
- It returns fuel economy in the mid-20 mpg range.
Specs at a glance:
- Engine: Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
- Horsepower and torque: 250 horsepower, 277 pound-feet of torque.
- Transmission: seven-speed automatic.
- Drivetrain: All-wheel drive.
- Fuel economy: Mid-20 mpg range in combined driving.
- Towing capacity: 2,000 pounds. Up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped.
- Bed length: 4.5 feet.
- Seating capacity: Five passengers.
- Price range: mid to upper $30,000 range.
About the author: Jason Bell is a lifelong car enthusiast who shares his passions as a teacher and automotive journalist. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. You can contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com and on his YouTube channel.
